– An essay and art contest for participating students in Fort Bend ISD, Katy ISD and Lamar CISD campuses within Precinct 3. All contestants are chosen by their participating campus teachers.

– Best of Show scholarship prizes of $1,000 will be awarded in each category which will include an art contest: one for elementary, one for junior high and one for high school; and an essay contest: one for K–2nd grades, one for 3rd– 5th grades and one for 6th–8th grades.

– Cutest Character Parade: children ages 2 to 10 come dressed up in their favorite book characters and are led through LaCenterra at Cinco Ranch by a Sheriff’s motorcycle, high school drumline, drill team members, cheerleaders, KVPAC, Katy ISD theatre kids, high school mascots, the Chick-fil-A cow and new this year, the HOUSTON ASTROS Shooting Stars! Parade registration is open from 10:30–11 a.m. at the library and parade begins at 11.

There will also be drawings for awesome prizes for participating teachers; live performances by high school choirs; Tiger Rock Martial Arts of Katy board-breaking demonstration by their black belt students; summer camp vendors as well as retail vendors; food trucks; children’s activities including face painting, petting zoo, gaming truck, photo booth, Dino Man and much more. There will also be first response vehicles, a helicopter flyover by the Sheriff’s department and finger printing for children by the Precinct 3 Constables.

The Katy ISD Education Foundation will host its third annual jazz event, GROOVE, on Thursday, April 7, at Omni Houston Hotel Westside, 13210 Katy Freeway at Eldridge. The reception begins at 6 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30 p.m. Presented in partnership with the Katy Jazz Festival, the event will benefit the Foundation and its Inspiring Imagination teacher grant program.The Foundation has awarded over $500,000 to Katy ISD teachers for inspiring, innovative classroom projects at district campuses.

GROOVE features an evening of jazz music performed by The Dennis Dotson Quartet. Dotson began his career as a staff musician for major hotels in Las Vegas, then performed as the jazz trumpet soloist with the Woody Herman Orchestra. His career includes playing with jazz greats Joe Lovano, Kenny Werner, the Charles Persip Big Band and the Chuck Israels Nonet. Dotson has been a clinician, guest artist (soloist) and adjudicator at more than 40 colleges and high schools across Texas and throughout the United States. He continues to play at major jazz festivals across the country and in Texas.

The Katy ISD Education Foundation plans to award over $1,000,000 in Katy ISD teacher grants over the next five years, an effort that is supported by events like GROOVE. Thompson & Horton, LLP serves as GROOVE title sponsor. Other early event sponsors include Phillips 66, Cross Creek Ranch and Newland Communities. Additional sponsorships, including table sponsors, are available. Single ticket admission is $100 per guest. For information, visit katyisdeducationfoundation.org.

The Katy Jazz Festival will be held at Katy High School on April 29 and 30 and feature an incredible array of jazz performances, master classes and ARTkaty, a visual arts exhibit and sale. Learn more atkatyjazzfestival.com.

The Barry Sea Paradox Band is one of the Houston area’s most popular and versatile music groups. Featuring Katy’s own Barry and Bobbie Sea, the group specializes in classic soul/rhythm and blues and smooth jazz; but also plays Motown, disco, Latin, swing, rock oldies, standards ranging from Sinatra to Satchmo and even a little country. The group performs at various venues around Katy and Houston and is available to play at weddings, anniversary parties, restaurants, night clubs and special events. Call 713-822-5011 or go to barrysea.com for the band’s full schedule. Reservations are recommended for all events.

Visitors will get to experience pioneer life at the Katy Folk Life Festival on Saturday, April 2 from 9 a.m.-4 p.m. Celebrating its 31st year, the festival will take visitors back in time to the 1800s with demonstrations and activities to recreate the era in Texas history. Admission is only $1 and will be held at the Kenneth D. Welch Outdoor Learning Center, Katy ISD Education Support Complex located at 6301 S. Stadium Lane

For more information, call the Katy ISD Communications Office at 281-396-2308.

The Falcon Point East annual garage sale is scheduled for Saturday, April 2 from 8 a.m.-2 p.m. The gates will remain open during this time. The rain date will be the following Saturday, April 9. Communities involved are The Arbor, The Grove, The Landing and The Meadows, each located off Bay Hill Blvd. in Katy.

GEORGE RANCH HIGH SCHOOL BAND BOOSTER CLUB’S 3RD ANNUAL AUTORAMA, APRIL 3

On Sunday, April 3 from 11 a.m.-4 p.m., the George Ranch High School Band Booster Club (GRBBC) will be hosting its third annual AutoRama at the Ranch community event and fundraiser. A fun family event for the entire community, AutoRama at the Ranch is a unique car show featuring over 100 sports, classic, muscle, exotic, tuner and sport compact and low rider cars. New this year, the event will also feature motorcycles. Last year, over 2,000 people attended to visit with the car owners, enjoy live music and other performances as well as tasty food from food truck vendors and much more.

The event organizers are currently looking for car owners and corporate sponsors. Tro­phies will be awarded in various categories. GRBBC is registered as a 501(c)3 charitable organization, so contributions are tax deductible.

Businesses or individuals who would like more information can contact Jill Underhill at president@grhsband.org.

Amy Barker Richards’ team, “In Memory of Dan S. Barker” will return this year to honor her father.

RUN FOR THE ROSE FUNDRAISER FOR BRAIN CANCER, APRIL 10

Brain cancer will once again meet its match on Sunday, April 10 at NRG Park in Houston as patients, supporters and family members converge for the 14th Annual Run for the Rose sponsored by the Dr. Marnie Rose Foundation (DMRF.) The event raises awareness and funds benefiting The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital and McGovern Medical School (formerly UTHealth Medical School).

The event offers a 5K Fun Run/Walk and Family 1K Fun Run/Walk, and participants range in age from 2 months to 102 years. The race starts and ends outside NRG Arena. Last year’s race attracted more than 5,500 participants and 80 brain tumor patients and netted $610,000. The inaugural Survivor Stroll, a special walk for brain cancer survivors, was hugely successful, and a special tent was added at the Run solely for these individuals.

Through the annual fundraiser, DMRF, a tax-exempt public charity, has donated more than $4.75 million for brain cancer research at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center as well as pediatric health initiatives, including but not exclusive to brain cancer, at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital since 2003. In 2015, the group established the Dr. Marnie Rose Professorship in Pediatric Neuro­surgery, a permanent endowment for the use and benefit of McGovern Medical School. Dr. David Sandberg, a brilliant pediatric neurosurgeon, will be the first holder of the newly established Professorship.

The DMRF was founded in 2002 in memory of Dr. Marnie Rose, a 28-year-old pediatric resident who died from what is considered one of the deadliest of human cancers, a glioblastoma. Dr. Rose was in the first year of her pediatric medical residency at Children’s Memorial Hermann Hospital when she was diagnosed with the rare form of brain cancer. Despite her diagnosis, she agreed to share all — her cancer journey, personal life and professional duties as a medical resident — with a TV crew from the ABC reality series Houston Medical. The critically acclaimed hospital series followed the lives of doctors, nurses, other health care professionals and patients at Memorial Hermann in summer 2002. Dr. Rose died on August 23, 2002, from complications of her cancer, just five weeks after the show’s final episode aired.

This year’s Run for the Rose begins at 6:30 a.m. with late registration. The Survivor Stroll starts at 8 a.m., followed by an 8:15 a.m. start for the Timed and Non-Timed 5K and 8:45 a.m. start for the Family1K. The Post-race party will offer delicious food and drink items, activities for children, great music, an inflatable, walk-through brain exhibit, and a silent auction. The awards presentation will be inside NRG Arena immediately following the end of the race.

Registration fees range from $15 to $40. Sponsorship opportunities start at $1,000. The DMRF receives support from individuals, corporations and foundations. Every $1 that is donated generates an estimated $5-10 of federal funding and grant support.

To register for a team or donate to one visit RunfortheRose.com or email info@drmarnierose.org for more information.

Keep Katy Beautiful is seeking volunteers for its 22nd community-wide clean up event known as the “Texas Trash Off” on Saturday, April 9. Volunteers may register individually or as teams. Scouts, youth/civic and professional groups are not only invited, but encouraged to join in on this immediate impact event. New this year are designated “Family Friendly” clean up locations specified for those wishing to get the kiddos involved in making a difference through this litter abatement outreach effort.

The Don’t Mess with Texas Trash-Off is spearheaded by TxDOT and Keep Texas Beautiful and serves as Texas’ signature event for the Great American Clean Up which is organized by Keep America Beautiful. This one-day event allows community members to join thousands of other Texans in their hometowns to make a big difference just by picking up harmful litter and debris along roadsides, in local parks and other places in the city. “This is one of those events where community members get to know their neighbors a little bit better, and those neighbors become friends in action helping to Keep Katy Beautiful,” says KKB’s Executive Director, Amy Reed.

Participants will not only receive supplies for their part of the clean-up, but are also invited to attend the After Trash Bash for a celebration of community, food, prizes and fun. For more information, send an email to KKB@cityofkaty.com.

The Mothers of Military Serving (MOMS) Charity Golf Tournament will be held Friday, April 22 at the Houston National Golf Club in Houston. Registration begins at 11 a.m. and tee-off is 12:30 p.m. All proceeds benefit Moms USA, which supports U.S. troops.

Registration deadline is Wednesday, April 13. Individual player fee is $110. Entry fee includes 18 holes of golf and cart; practice range balls; dinner and awards; team pictures and golf prizes. The Non-Golfers Dinner is $15.

For more information and details on the many sponsorship levels, call Tournament Director Laurise Roberts at 713-417-8557 or MOMS President Gale Muskiet at 281-536-6999 or email gmuskiet@gmail.com.

The Katy City-Wide Spring Garage Sale, promoting reduce, reuse and rebuy in yards and garages all over Katy, is scheduled for Saturday, April 16.

￼All participants must register and can do so in person at 5718 Second Street (City Annex Building) or by fax at 281-391-4017 or by email at kkb@cityofkaty.com

The deadline to register is 5 p.m. Friday, April 8. No exceptions.

A public list of times and locations will be available at cityofkaty.com, social media, other garage sales and businesses in Katy. Copies of the list can be picked up on Friday,April 15 at the City Annex located at 5718 Second Street, or City Hall located at 910 Avenue C.

Katy Christian Women’s Connection (KCWC) will be hosting its Spring Luncheon on Thursday, April 28 at The Club at Falcon Point, 24503 Falcon Point Dr. The event will feature a Spring Fashion Show presented by The Walk-In Closet, which is located in Katy. The luncheon starts at 11 a.m. and ends at 1 p.m. Mary Beal from College Station will be the guest speaker and will talk about what having Christ in her life has meant. The luncheon is $18 per person.

KCWC is part of Stonecroft Ministries, a ministry for women which provides Bible studies, prayer connections and fellowship luncheons around the United States. Katy Christian Women also sponsors monthly Prayer Coffees held on the second Thursday of each month. Call for April and May locations. For more information or to RSVP for the luncheon, call 281-232-8338 or email Nancy at Katycwc@gmail.com.

Old Town Katy Market Days has been steadily growing since it was established in 2001. Each month features local produce, free range eggs, local honey and organic, beef, chicken and lamb all raised locally. Farmers are encouraged to bring extra produce to sell to the community. Market Days is held every third Saturday of each month between 2nd Street and Avenue B. Regular booth space is $30. To book a space, call 281-391-1993.

Jill Conner Browne, best-selling author of the Sweet Potato Queens book series and the inspiration behind the new TUTS spring musical with the same name, will be featured as the keynote speaker at Women Who Do, Hadassah’s Women of Courage Awards luncheon on April 10 at the Westin Galleria Hotel. The luncheon will honor Houston’s own multi-level Hadassah leader Linda Freedman Block. A natural tie with Hadassah’s position of connecting and empowering women, Browne’s books’ concepts involve a belief in a sisterhood that promotes self-esteem and positive thinking. In its 11th year, the award recognizes women who have focused on important issues in the community and gone the extra mile to make a difference in the lives of others.

The beneficiary of the luncheon’s fundraising efforts, Hadassah Medical Organization, has recently made headlines for its clinical trials of stem cell treatment that significantly slowed the progression of ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease). Hadassah Medical Organization also serves as a bridge to peace – forging links between patients of all nationalities, races and religion who come to its doors for healing.

The event is being chaired by Greenwood King’s Sharon Brier and Tradition Title Company’s Randee Kaplan. Buy tickets online at hadassah.org/events/2016woc or call 713-661-1022 for more details.

Red Potato Market Days returns Friday, April 22 and Saturday, April 23 from 9 a.m. – 5 p.m. at 9114 FM 1489, in Simonton. There will be a Preview Party on Thursday, April 21 from 4 -7 p.m. Over 70 vendors participate, bringing vintage, antiques and painted furniture, lighting, eclectic finds, art, jewelry, clothing, pottery and handmade soaps and crafts. It’s the perfect place to relax in the country only 35 miles west of Houston and 15 miles west of Katy. Local Farmers also bring fresh produce and home made goods. Food trucks and a live band combine to make this a fun event.

The event takes place under a covered area, rain or shine. The $5 admission supports Young Life & Simonton Christian Academy. Children under 12 are free. The cost to attend the Preview Party is $20.

KCAM – Contemporary Art Museum Fort Bend is participating in this year’s biennial FotoFest. This year’s theme, Changing Circumstances: Looking at the Future of the Planet, features an array of work that offers important commentary on our world and its rapid evolution. In light of recent political developments, photographer Kevin Douglas West addresses the restrictions on travel between the U.S. and Cuba being lifted in 2015 with his exhibit at KCAM, Cuba Behind Open Doors.

West’s photography takes a colorful and personal look at a country whose recent history has been dramatically changed with this new openness. West captured the daily life of those residing in this fascinating country. By focusing on the humanity and personality of the Cubans West encountered, viewers of his exhibition have an opportunity to see the heart and soul of a country that seems to have stood still in time.

“Cuba has been on my bucket list for over 10 years. I love the place and its music, art, people and history. I was lucky to see it,” West said.

West is returning to FotoFest, having contributed his work in 2012 and 2014.

Cuba Behind Open Doors is on view at the KCAM – Contemporary Art Museum Fort Bend Saturday, March 12, 2016 – May 1, 2016 805 Avenue B in Katy. The rest of FotoFest takes place from March 12-April 24 in Houston at Silver Street Studios, The Silos At Sawyer Yards, Spring Street Studios and Williams Tower Gallery. For more information, visit 2016biennial.fotofest.org.

The McDonald’s Houston Children’s Festival, celebrating its 28th year, has raised more than $5.2 million over the past 27 years for Child Advocates, Inc. (childadvocates.org). The festival will take place in Downtown Houston in the area surrounding City Hall, Houston Public Library Plaza, Tranquility Park and upper Sam Houston Park on Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 from 10:30 a.m.-6:30 p.m. For tickets and more information, visit houstonchildrensfestival.com.

The 2016 Relay for Life of Katy will be held on April 29-30 from 7 p.m.-7 a.m. at Katy City Park, 5720 Franz Road. This event is the largest cancer fundraiser in Katy. The public is invited to form a team, donate, honor survivors with a luminaria, and participate or volunteer to support those who are fighting, those who have lost their fight, and most of all help finish the fight in helping to find a cure for all types of cancer.

Relay for Life is an organized, overnight community fundraising walk where teams of people camp out around the track and take turns walking around the track. Food, games and activities provide entertainment and build camaraderie in a family-friendly environment for the entire community. Because it’s a team event, individual participants are not required to be there the entire time.

Event details vary by location, but all events have key moments in common:

Survivors Lap – All cancer survivors take the first lap around the track, celebrating their victory over cancer while cheered on by the other participants who line the track. The event also recognizes caregivers who give support to those facing cancer.

Luminaria Ceremony – This ceremony takes place after dark, so participants can remember people lost to cancer, honor people who have fought cancer in the past and support those whose fight continues. Candles are lit inside of personalized bags and placed around the track as glowing tributes to those who’ve been affected by cancer.

Fight Back Ceremony – This ceremony inspires participants to take action, symbolizing the emotional commitment each person can make in the fight against cancer. The action represents what participants are willing to do for themselves, for their loved ones and for their community to fight cancer year-round and to commit to saving lives.

In 1985, Dr. Gordy Klatt walked and ran for 24 hours around a track in Tacoma, Washington, raising $27,000 to help the American Cancer Society’s fight. A year later, 340 supporters joined the overnight event. Since then, the movement has grown into a worldwide phenomenon, raising nearly $5 billion to fight cancer.